This
non-technical introduction to evolution, produced by the American Geological
Institute in cooperation with the Paleontological Society, aims to help the
general public gain a better understanding of one of the fundamental underlying
concepts of modern science. Colorful photos, drawings, and illustrations complement
the authors' conversational style as they discuss geologic time; change through
time; Darwin's theory of evolution; evolution as a mechanism for change; the
nature of species; the nature of theory; paleontology, geology, and evolution;
and determining the age of fossils and rocks. Four "case study" examples
from the fossil record - evolution of vertebrate legs, evolution of birds, evolution
of mammals, and evolution of whales - are presented to provide a time perspective
for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. The booklet contains straightforward
definitions as well as discussions of complex ideas.